Organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth, methods of preparation, and uses thereof

Abstract

This application discusses organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth, comprising at least one diatomaceous earth subjected to at least one treatment with at least one basic organic compound. Also disclosed herein is a composition, such as a silicone rubber composition or a paper composition, comprising organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth. Also disclosed herein are methods of making organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth and methods of making silicone rubber formulations comprising a organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth filler.

1 - 79 . (canceled) 
     
     
         80 . An organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth, comprising at least one diatomaceous earth comprising at least one acidic surface site at least partially neutralized by at least one basic organic compound. 
     
     
         81 . The composition according to  claim 80 , wherein the at least one diatomaceous earth is chosen from the group consisting of natural, calcined, and flux-calcined diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         82 . The composition according to  claim 80 , wherein the at least one basic organic compound comprises at least one basic group chosen from the group consisting of amines and imines. 
     
     
         83 . The composition according to  claim 82 , wherein the at least one basic group is at least one amine chosen from the group consisting of amino ethers, alkanolamines, aminosilanes, ethyleneamines, and aminoesters. 
     
     
         84 . The composition according to  claim 82 , wherein the at least one basic group is at least one amine chosen from the group consisting of methylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, 1,3-propanediamine, and primary, secondary and tertiary polyamines. 
     
     
         85 . The composition according to  claim 82 , wherein the at least one basic group is at least one imine chosen from the group consisting of ethyleneimines and polyethyleneimines. 
     
     
         86 . The composition according to  claim 83 , wherein the amino ether is chosen from the group consisting of polyether amines and morpholines. 
     
     
         87 . The composition according to  claim 83 , wherein the alkanolamine is chosen from the group consisting of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, diethylaminoethanol, methylethanolamine, dimethylethanolamine, ethylaminoethanol, amino-methypropanol, and alkanolamine aminomethylpropanol. 
     
     
         88 . The composition according to  claim 83 , wherein the aminosilane is chosen from the group consisting of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, trimethoxysilylpropyldiethylenetriamine, 2-(trimethoxysilylethyl) pyridine, N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)pyrrole, trimethoxysilylpropyl polyethyleneimine, bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-amino propyltriethoxysilane. 
     
     
         89 . The composition according to  claim 83 , wherein the ethyleneamine is chosen from the group consisting of ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, piperazine, N-aminoethylpiperazine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, pentaethylenehexamine, and higher ethylenepolyamines. 
     
     
         90 . The composition according to  claim 80 , wherein the at least one basic organic compound is alkanolamine aminomethylpropanol. 
     
     
         91 . The composition according to  claim 80 , wherein the organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth has a pKa ranging from 4.0 to 7.0. 
     
     
         92 . The composition according to  claim 80 , wherein the at least one basic organic compound is added in an amount from about 0.1% to about 5% relative to the total weight of the diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         93 . A silicone rubber composition comprising at least one silicone polymer and at least one filler comprising at least one organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth, wherein the at least one organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth comprises at least one surface acidic site at least partially neutralized by at least one basic organic compound. 
     
     
         94 . The composition according to  claim 93 , wherein the at least one basic organic compound comprises at least one basic group chosen from the group consisting of amines, amino ethers, alkanolamines, aminosilanes, ethyleneamines, and aminoesters. 
     
     
         95 . The composition according to  claim 93 , wherein the at least one basic organic compound is alkanolamine aminomethylpropanol (AMP). 
     
     
         96 . The composition according to  claim 93 , wherein the at least one basic organic compound is added in an amount greater than 0.25% relative to the total weight of the diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         97 . The composition according to  claim 93 , wherein the organo-neutralized diatomaceous earth is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 200 phr in the composition. 
     
     
         98 . The composition according to  claim 93 , wherein the Shore A hardness ranges from about 55 to about 90. 
     
     
         99 . The composition according to  claim 93 , wherein the tensile strength ranges from about 1000 to about 1200 psi.